Maximize your space in style while adding privacy and structure.

WERNER STRAUBE

A room divider can create flow and function in your space.

Room dividers come in many shapes and forms.

white dining room with room divider

Credit:WERNER STRAUBE

There are classic folding screens, which were historically used for privacy or to trap heat in drafty rooms.

Easy-to-move screens can be used for multiple purposes around the home or stored when not in use.

Other ideas for room dividers includeopen shelving, built-in room dividers, orcustom furniture pieces.

midcentury room with room divider

Credit:John Bessler

To refresh your space, take inspiration from these clever room divider ideas.

The screen enhances the groovy period feel of the room and adds height amongst mostly low furniture.

This DIY design is made with wood planks and paint.

Teal room divider with a small office

Credit:Brie Goldman

The bold teal color fits right in alongside the other vibrant accents in the room.

This almost ceiling height folding screen delineates the space between thesmall entryand the living room.

The screen becomes a wall you could place furniture against, maximizing the usefulness of the space.

foyer

The lightweight screen can be moved around as needed and simply admired when not in use.

Choose plants that trail or vines to increase privacy.

Another way to fill out a plant wall is to hang the plants at different heights for more density.

Home office desk partition

Credit:Paul Costello

Peter Rymwid

Privacy screens are often works of art in themselves.

This painterly screen almost looks like stone.

The neutral colors and glossy texture complement the subtle glam of the rest of the sitting room.

Kitchen and dining room separated by shiplap partition wall

Credit:Better Homes & Gardens

Room Divider with Storage

Kim Cornelison

Abuilt-in room dividercan transform an open-concept space and add functional storage.

This wall of cabinets increases the storage in the kitchen while separating the workspace from the dining room.

This custom screen sits atop a chest, which houses storage for the dining room.

white dining room with room divider

Credit:WERNER STRAUBE

The intricate screen echoes the rooms architecture and lets light flow through to either side.

You could do something similar with plants or even a repurposed fireplace screen.

Christina Schmidhofer

This stone wall has built-in shelving thats open to both sides of the wall.

white bathroom with wood wall

Credit:John Bessler

While in this case theres no need, a folding screen can make an easy faux headboard.

The shear panels create privacy while allowing light to pass through.

Thenatural wood tonematches that of the dining chairs for a warm contrast to the greens used throughout the room.

hanging plants as a room divider

Credit:Buff Strickland

The screen can be folded up when the tub isnt in use to allow more light into the room.

Folding screens come in many styles, so look for one that suits the style of your room.

This screen fits right into the decidedly traditional living room.

living room with room divider

Credit:Peter Rymwid

Shelving as a Room Divider

Ann VanderWiel Wilde

Acube storage shelfmakes a useful and effective room divider.

Bookshelf as Room Divider

A bookshelf of any kind can be used as a room divider.

Cut tabs into oval-shaped pieces of cardboard and interlock them to create an artful and surprisingly sturdy space divider.

Porch with couch, chairs, salmon and white colors

Credit: Kim Cornelison

Curtains as a Room Divider

Robert Brinson

Curtains create a sumptuously textured and effective room divider.

Depending on their thickness, they can also dampen sound.

Here, a mustard-color curtain provides an optional barrier between the living space and the dining room.

white kitchen pantry cabinets

Credit:Kim Cornelison

This traditional-style archway got a modern upgrade with shelves of varying sizes between the post and the wall.

The shelves add movement and a place to display treasured objects.

Long shelves below the windows provide another layer of separation as well asopen storageand display space.

dining area with room divider

Credit:Jessica Klewicki Glynn

The high-gloss finish of the storage unit reflects natural light, helping the the space feel even more open.

The frosted-glass inserts on the upper cabinets also help the divider look more airy.

Increase Privacy with Frosted Glass

Create privacy in a bathroom by installing a frosted-glass wall panel.

stone and wood shelving

Credit:Christina Schmidhofer

Sharing light enhances the sense of space in both areas.

Here, a set of glass-paned pocket doors provide separation between the kitchen and hallway.

bedroom room divider

Credit:Peter Rymwid

Living room with gold room divider

Credit:Adam Albright

room divider idea in dining room

Credit:Joe Schmelzer

formal living room with patterned room divider

Credit:Peter Rymwid

Neutral French country bathroom

Credit:Jean Allsopp

room divider behind armchair

Credit:Dominique Vorillon

white cube room dividers

Credit:Ann VanderWiel Wilde

small house tour

white and yellow room divider

dining room with curtain room divider

Credit:Robert Brinson

white entryway with blue bench

Credit:Jessica Klewicki Glynn

Livingroom with dandilion picture focal point

high gloss cabinets

kitchen

low wall divider

glass privacy screen

china hutch

kitchen doors